1. How did you first become acquainted with the Church of
Scientology?

A perky young blonde 'surveyed' me in a drug store parking lot. I bought Dianetic$ for two bucks from her.

2. What initially appealed to you about scientology?

Was told with sincerity that $cn could help me overcome my personal problems. Additionally, I was fairly certain that I could bang the bookseller first chance I got.

3. Were there problems in your life that you thought
scientology would address?

No sense of direction or purpose. Uncertainty. You know, normal angst.

Here's where $cn truly excels. They sell you on perfection and power. You are indoctrinated into believing that the way you are is WRONG and that they, and only they, can pull you out of your psychological/spiritual muck.

4. Did you see, experience, or hear about things that didn't
seem right while you were in the Church of Scientology? What were
they, and what convinced you to set aside your feelings?

While on staff:

1) I worked Day and Fdn. Usually 14 to 16 hours a day getting the 'stats' up. As many may know, staff compensation is based upon Org income and FCDC was not experiencing its most profitable era. Consequently, I was forced to live off 10 - 25 dollars a week.

2) Down-stats were routinely 'handled' by public humiliation and so-called Tone 40 'intention.' I recall once being taken to the back of the 'church' and yelled at by the OES who was a newly-minted OTVII. He berated me with wild-eyed abandon for what seemed like hours. It was horrible and embarassing.

3) 'Stats' were more important than training or processing. I was often pulled off course for an all hands. Especially on Thursdays as the week ended at 2pm on that day.

As a public:

Within 18 months I had reached a point where I could no longer take the poverty and humiliation from working for the 'church.' Over the course of days, I eventually routed off staff, signing my promissary note to repay my freeloader debt.

I disappeared back into the world of sex, drugs and rock and roll for two years, dodging calls from the org and tossing letters from FCDC into the circular file.

In 1978 I came back on line and worked through the lower ethics conditions. It was then that I purchased the HSDC. I was back in the 'fold.'

Upon my fast track completion of the HSDC, I was routed to the registrar where, over a course of two hours, I was caused to contact EVERYONE I knew for a loan. I could feel the tingling of annoyance transform into a surge of resentment as I summarily alienated everyone I knew. For the sake of getting ME up the fucking bridge, I severed many good relationships.

I floated in and out of the 'church' for 4 more years, never really getting anywhere but closer to disillusionment. I was also interested in exploring what I had for so many years been told to stay away from. OTHER PRACTICES.

It was this research into philosophy, psychology and spirtuality that would eventually lead me to Buddhism. And it was along this path of study that I came to realize just how much Hubbard had plagarized, borrowed, whatever.

5. Why did you choose to stay in the Church of
Scientology?

It was ingrained in me front day one how any attempt at questioning, or desire to leave or criticize was due to my own PTS-ness or out-ethics. Brainwashing, pure and simple.

6. Were you staff or public? If staff, was it at a mission or
an org? Were you ever in the Sea Org or OSA? Which unit? If not on
staff, did you ever volunteer to 'help out'?

See #4

7. Why did you leave the Church of Scientology? Was there a
"final straw"?

See #4

8. Do you think the Church of Scientology needs to change some
of its practices? If so, what should be changed? How did those
practices affect your life?

I'd be curious to see whether the 'Church' of $cientology would still exist if the truth about its practices, abuses, crimes and workability were exposed on a grand scale. Would $cn become another one of those fringe cults? Maybe.

9. If the items you listed in the previous question were
changed, would you consider rejoining or staying in the Church of
Scientology? If so, why?

No effing way!

10. Any additional comments you would like to make?

Yes. I would like to apologize to Fran for bringing her into the 'church.'